Dark Hood
Chapter 17
Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice nor the characters but this story is entirely mine.
"So you just left?" Ruka's eyes almost bulged out at me but I couldn't be bothered to act subtly angry. I was intensely angry. The bubbling rage within me wouldn't disappear and for once, I wish Ruka was a punching bag.
Even without my input, Ruka kept ranting on. "Why would you do that?! You should have gone in there and find out who that person was! Maybe it was just her friend or something - "
"How gullible can you get?" I grunted as I slammed the files onto my desk - not that I could bother to read them anyway. "Ruka, I confessed to her and suddenly she doesn't show up to work and there's a guy in her apartment. That sends out a pretty clear message."
"...I'm going to call her."
"Don't."
This was completely pointless. As if I hadn't already considered who that person was. It could be her dead Jii-chan for all I know but I really don't have the time to think logically. I just had to be away from her to clear my mind.
"Natsume, you're so stubborn."
I snorted, "And when do you plan to ask Imai out?"
He flushed. "I n-never said I would!"
I rolled my eyes. How many times have we had these types of conversation? I feel like a high school girl instead of the head of a company and even when we were in high school, we had much more intelligent conversations. Where have those times gone anyway?
"Well, I'm going to see Mikan-chan."
"Because going to see your ex is always the solution," I glowered at him.
Then he paused for a second as if he just had an eureka moment. He smiled at me, "Sometimes you're a genius when you're acting like an ass."
Koizumi was sitting perfectly poised, awaiting my arrival at the sushi bar even though I was supposed to be there first. This is what happens when I can't concentrate on work: the files pile up so high that you could probably shove it up -
"Natsume-kun!" she waved gleefully at me, "Over here."
I sauntered over to the table and seated myself down opposite her. This was the exact same table as last time and I found myself keeping an eye on the door just in case a dark figure would enter.
"So why the sudden invitation?" she questioned me.
I sighed. Where to start? After you left I decided to come back to Japan and confess to Mikan but then I found her with another guy so I wanted your advice? Yep, sounds perfect.
"I confessed to Mikan."
"O-oh! Congratulations, I guess. But I don't think that's why you called me out," she frowned, "Did something happen?"
"I honestly don't know." I ran a hand through my hair. I'm surprised after all this stress that I wasn't going bald. "She hasn't replied."
"Well things like that take time," she shrugged, "But personally, I thought she would jump into your arms and kiss you."
I growled. Is that what it looks like to everyone? It's those type of false images they plant in my head so that I went ahead and give the most idiotic confession in the world. Plus, I left her to walk home in the rain after that.
"Natsume-kun, from my point of view, I think you're acting quite stubborn," she leaned back to her chair as if inspecting me from further would change her perspective. "You've liked her so long but held back because of your best friend but now I'm out the way as is Ruka yet you haven't made advances. What was the point of all this struggle if you aren't clear to her?"
"She was with someone else when I visited her."
The silence that followed even frightened Koko enough not to come and get our orders. It was logical to think that it definitely wasn't another boyfriend she had in her apartment - after all she had just dumped Ruka, I doubt she would be like that. Perhaps I was just annoyed because I wanted that person to be me. The guy closest to her. Or maybe I was just frustrated about the lack of response she gave.
"That could have been anyone. But Mikan isn't waiting for you Natsume. Sometimes you have to be the one to reach out to them," she pointed at me accusingly, "Not every girl likes to cling onto you like a life guard. Life isn't that easy."
Well clearly life likes to screw with me.
"So until you learn to do that, let's eat."
I had forgotten how nice it was to just forget for once my life was a mess. Koizumi wasn't boring me to bits but she wasn't clingy either which caused me to relax a lot more than I had the past week.
"Go and talk to Mikan, okay?" Koizumi reminded me as I parked the car. She had left her car down near my apartment building so I offered her a short ride. "I know she's waiting for you."
I scoffed, "You girls talk like you can mind-read."
"It's just that guys can't be bothered to think about things like this. I could tell you liked Mikan from day one and I'm one-hundred percent sure Mikan likes you too. The way she smiles at you, the way she looks at you, the way she runs out to buy coffee - "
I chuckled at that point. "She would have to do it if she didn't want to get fired."
"That's the point. You're a terrible boss and honestly Mikan could have easily found a better job with her connections. Why do you think she kept working at your company? Why do you think she works so hard to brew coffee for you? Sometimes you guys are the dense ones. So please, make up with Mikan-chan."
Her sincerity was shown in her gentle expression. It was genuine concern she was showing for me as a friend. Besides Ruka, I had finally found someone who would put up with me.
"I will," I escorted her out the car, "Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome," she smiled at me. "Call me when you get together with her, alright?"
Out of habit, she leaned in close and pecked my cheek. Before I would have hesitated but it had become a friendly gesture which I welcomed. The heaviness of my heart was lifted with its resolve. Even if Mikan did have a group of suitors or fiancés hidden in her closet, I would just have to be the one who gets her.
Perhaps you don't know, but it's quite difficult to go back to the place you faltered. For me, I was reluctant to knock on the door and perhaps I would have given up if I didn't know I had to keep fighting.
"Mikan? We need to talk," I managed to squeeze out.
"Go away," the voice yelled at me from afar. At least I know she's in there.
I pushed against the door but it was locked so I just did what I had to do. (And no, I did not tackle the door until it unhinged.)
"Listen," I gulped down my fears, "Just tell me if you don't like me - it's better than this deadlock."
No answer.
"Even if you still like Ruka or if you like ten million other guys out there, heck you can like girls, but I will convince you to like me. But don't ignore me."
No answer.
"The one time I'm honest and this is how you treat me?"
"Honest?" she laughed coldly, "When were you going to tell me that you and Koizumi were still together? Or that you have crush on my cousin? But you decide to tell me that you liked me. Of course that makes sense."
Her sarcasm was stabbing at me but I couldn't stop now. "I don't have a crush on your cousin neither am I with Koizumi."
"Hotaru has proof."
Imai. I should have known. She was ever watchful of everyone and everything, especially those concerning the ones she cares about.
"I saw you out in the car park as well."
When the heck was she out in the car park? You would think you could spot one person in that vacant area.
"Koizumi and I are just friends," I exclaimed, beginning to get agitated from repeating.
This felt like some type of Korean drama of some sort and perhaps even a soap opera. But now I could sense their desperation to be listened to and understood. I couldn't let this stupid incident ruin our relationship or whatever it was we had.
"Listen Natsume, until you're absolutely clear about your feelings and you can face me honestly - "
"I am!" I finally burst. Luckily no one was in the hall which meant I could also try breaking the door but I prefer to keep my shoulder intact.
"I was being stubborn but I didn't know it would kill me inside and I didn't want to hurt Ruka or Koizumi so I kept waiting. But the more I waited, the more I realised I couldn't wait."
"So you turned to my cousin?" she retorted.
"I was distressed and she reminded me of you but I had no feelings for her."
That must have sounded really bad. I took advantage of her cousin because she resembled her. Gosh, that sounds even worse.
But somehow that made the door click open and Mikan stood before me. Even though her eyes were puffed and glowing red and her lips cracked, I thought she was more beautiful than anything. It just made it more obvious for me.
"You're not lying," she mumbled.
I couldn't tell if that was a question or if it was some form of a statement but to avoid being shut out, I stepped inside. Maybe the declaration out in the hall had parched my throat but I suddenly went mute. What else could I say now?
"I... do believe you. But Natsume... I'm so confused. I used to think I liked Ruka but then you showed up and I couldn't distinguish like from love anymore," she sniffed. "I just didn't know it would hurt this much not to understand my own feelings. I think I like you too Natsume. But I don't know anymore. Just please... leave me alone."
Neither did I.
It's only weird because instead of walking away, I had to walk next door. I could heard her stifled sobs and no matter what I did, I couldn't get my mind off the fact it was me making her cry.
I had wanted to be the only guy for her and it ended up like this. I'm such a mess. I wanted to drink but I couldn't come back drunk. I wanted to hit something but I couldn't make any noise. I wanted to scream but I couldn't let her hear.
The pent up frustration in my system would burst soon but what could I do? This must be some type of revenge against me.
But she did say she liked me didn't she? So what was the problem now?
End of Chapter 17
I humbly apologise for the... one year wait. But I promise you I will do my best to solve this Dark Hood mystery. I would really appreciate hearing from you guys once more and once again, I AM SO SORRY!
You have to feel bad for Natsume though. I mean, come on. This is just a short chapter to let you know I'm alive and I will get straight to the plot once more! I hope you guys are still waiting!
Yuri Hannah - I hope so too. I wonder what my brain was thinking. I'm so sorry about the wait. Thank you for your review!
Crimson Flares - Thank you so much for your support! I'm just going to leave the man a secret for now.
adrienna22 - Thank you so much and sorry for the wait! I'll try to improve this story despite my non-existent love life!
gabsterela - You are actually thinking of the storyline for me :P Tsubasa is a good candidate... Hm... Thank you!
Nuro - I hope I didn't confuse anyone any further. I just reread the whole thing and I was like... Huh? Anyway thank you so much!
ninastylee - Akira is a good guess too... Hm... Or maybe I should put in Jii-chan. Gosh guys! Thanks for your review as always! :)
MjaoCait - Honestly, I don't know anymore...
Eka19 - Plot twist! Ruka is Mikan's brother! Whoa... Intense. Narumi-sensei is a possibility... Thank you for reviewing!
Kaede Miko - You guys really have a knack for guessing that I have to rethink my whole storyline again :P Thanks for reviewing!
AbbySmiles86 - Aw, well I hope the cliffies are doing their job but keeping you on the edge of your seat! Thanks!